Traditional rulers fight at new yam festival in Rivers community

Brave Dickson

The annual yam festival of Egi kingdom in Ogba/Egbema/Ndoni Local Government Area of Rivers State was at the weekend disrupted following fight between a chief and a female monarch.

The festival which is called Egu-Ogba was traditionally designed to give approval to the eating of new yam and to serve as medium to settle high profile disputes among community members.

Before the arrival of the King of Egi kingdom, the Queen of the Kingdom, Her Majesty, Princess Onuoha was ushered to the high table with her entourage to serve as the royal mother of the day.

Trouble started when Chief Ogbuagu Orekoha ordered the queen to leave the high table.

The action of the chief provoked the followers of the queen who descended on the chief, leading to a free for all.

The queen immediately sought the attention of the King to know if the action of chief Orekoha was backed by him.

As the king arrived the venue of the festival, he lampooned Orekoha for unlawfully ordering the queen to vacate the high table.

Our correspondent reports that shouting match was sustained for hours before calm was restored to the venue of the festival.

When contacted, Queen Onuoha said, “I will press legal actions against chief Orekoha for derogating me before the public.

“I have asked my subjects to stay calm and remain law abiding.”